Watch Charlotte

Charlotte is a 2015-2016 anime television series produced by Aniplex and directed by Yoshiyuki Asai. The series follows the life of a schoolboy named Yuu Otosaka, who possesses the power to possess people's bodies for a limited amount of time. The show is set in a world where a small percentage of people have supernatural abilities or powers, and thus these people are referred to as 'Ability Users.'

The story begins with Yuu Otosaka, who is a high school student with a secret ability to take over someone's body for five seconds. He uses this power to cheat on exams and get ahead in life. However, his peaceful life changes when he meets Nao Tomori, a girl at school who can make her presence invisible to others. Nao's ability involves manipulating people's memories, and she is a member of a small group of people tasked with tracking down and protecting other teenagers with abilities from the hands of the government.

Nao coerces Yuu to transfer to Hoshinoumi Academy, a school for students with supernatural abilities, where he meets a group of powerful Ability Users led by Tomoru, who can telekinetically move objects with her mind. Yuu quickly learns that Hoshinoumi is a safe haven for those with supernatural abilities since it is devoid of abuse, experimentation, or molestation’s by the government.

Charlotte has a multifaceted narrative, which is one of the show’s strengths. While it begins with a light-hearted spirit, the show takes a melodramatic turn as the story progresses. Yuu's condition worsens as he begins to experience severe headaches, rendering him unable to maintain his persona when he possesses someone else's body. Thus, the narrative becomes a race against time as Yuu and his friends hunt down Ability Users before the government can get to them.

Another unique aspect of Charlotte is its blend of humor and drama. The show does not shy away from using comic relief in tense situations, creating an emotional rollercoaster for the viewers. Furthermore, the characters are memorable, with diverse personalities ranging from the cold-hearted Tomoru to the quirky and upbeat Yuu.

Notably, Charlotte's animation and sound design are noteworthy. The animation studio P.A.Works, makes use of bright colors, expressive characters designs and smooth animation, making the visuals captivating. Similarly, the sound design is done impeccably, with the soundtrack composed by renowned musician Maeda Jun, whose compositions enhance the emotional impact of the show.

A critical aspect to mention about Charlotte is its theme of adolescence, as the show contextualizes the adolescence experience through the 'supernatural' lens, the different challenges affecting teenagers are evident in the show. The show speaks to the challenges teenagers encounter living in a confusing, unfamiliar world that they have to learn to navigate. It addresses the issue of isolation, trust, camaraderie, romantic relationship, and family and puts them on full display, making the show a relatable, human experience.

In conclusion, Charlotte is a fantastic anime series that blends humor, drama, exceptional visuals, and endearing characters to create an emotional journey through adolescence, highlighting the unique challenges they face. While the show starts lightly, it gradually progresses to a more emotional and serious tone, taking viewers on an emotional and unpredictable ride. Charlotte presents its narrative and themes exceptionally well, leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction after the final episode.

Charlotte is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between July 5, 2015 and on Aniplex